The garden at Buckingham Palace has opened to visitors for the summer, allowing the grounds of Her Majesty The Queen’s official London residence to be explored through a self-guided tour for the first time. Following exceptional demand, additional tickets have been made available on dates throughout July to September.

Visitors are free to explore a route through the garden that encompasses the 156-metre Herbaceous Border, plane trees planted by and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and views of the island and its beehives across the 3.5-acre lake. The unique opportunity to enjoy a picnic on one of the sweeping lawns is also part of the visit. Features in the south-west of the garden, including the Rose Garden, summer house and wildflower meadow, can be viewed through one of the guided tours that will run each day.

The current landscape of the historic 39-acre garden dates back to the 1820s when George IV turned Buckingham House into a palace. Despite its urban location, the garden is home to a remarkable array of flora and fauna, including rare native plants seldom seen in London. The garden is a rich biodiverse habitat, with more than 1,000 trees, the National Collection of Mulberry Trees and 320 different wildflowers and grasses. It is also home to several botanicals used to make Buckingham Palace Gin, including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries, bay leaves and mulberry leaves.

Daily talks by Visitor Services Wardens and trails for families are included as part of the visit. Art and craft activities will be available in locations throughout the garden for visitors with children on Mondays in July and August (from 19 July) and as part of two Family Festival days on 26 and 30 August, where Warden-led family tours will also be available.

A new range of summertime products has been launched to mark the opening of the garden to the public. Featuring a design inspired by royal ceremonies and summer flowers, items include a picnic blanket, cotton napkins, a reusable water bottle and a sandwich bag. Strawberry and champagne jam and buttery shortbread biscuits can be enjoyed during picnics at Buckingham Palace, in the park, or at home.  Products will be available from the online shop in the coming weeks.